Japan's Kasumi Ishikawa celebrates after winning the table tennis women's singles third round match against Thailand's Orawan Paranang at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 26, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto made the perfect start to his Olympic debut on Monday as the 18-year-old overpowered Lam Siu Hang of Hong Kong in five games in the table tennis men's singles at the Tokyo Games.

       Regarded as Japan's brightest young talent, the third-seeded Harimoto secured his spot in the fourth round with a 4-1 win at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, while compatriot Kasumi Ishikawa also opened with a win to advance from the women's draw.

       Harimoto took a medical timeout to treat a cut on his right hand while trailing during the second game, but he recovered nicely to advance 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10.

       "There were several situations during the match where I was behind and felt like my spirit would be broken. But there was pleasure amid the pain for sure," said Harimoto.

       "I didn't play that well but I want to focus on winning. I get to play another game now and I'm just relieved that I won."

       In an earlier match, Ishikawa was made to work before notching a 4-2 win over Thailand's Orawan Paranang in the third round of the women's singles.

       Fifth seed Ishikawa, who helped Japan win the team bronze medal in Rio four five years ago, allowed Paranang to twice come back to make it all square at two games apiece, but took control from the fifth game to prevail 11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8.

       "I'm relieved," said Ishikawa. "The match didn't quite go the way I wanted it to but after being pegged back to 2-2 I was able to come back and generate momentum."

       Japan's Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito face Chinese world champions Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen in the mixed doubles final later Monday.

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